Method for controlling the firing angle of an electric motor

Abstract

A method for controlling the firing angle of a single-phase AC powered electric motor is provided which is triggered by at least one locking electronic switch, such as a triac (T1 and T4) located between the distribution voltage (UV) and at least one motor winding (A, B). According to said method, intervals are defined within which the triacs (T2 to T4) are to be fired according to the curve of the distribution voltage (UV) and the voltage (UEMK) induced in the respective winding in order to allow the motor to start as quickly and smoothly as possible and run quietly and at high efficiency.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 185,308 filed Jul. 20, 2005, now, U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,974, which, in turn, is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / EP2004 / 000281, filed Jan. 16, 2004, which was published in the German language on Aug. 5, 2004, under International Publication No. WO 2004 / 066484 A1. The disclosures of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a method for controlling the firing angle of a single-phase electric motor supplied with alternating current. [0003] Electric motors nowadays may be activated largely independently of the mains frequency by way of electronic controls. However, even with the application of highly integrated electronic circuits, converter electronics create costs which often lie in the magnitude of that of the motor. For this reason, and in particular for motors of a small an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Against this background, it is the object of the invention to create a method for controlling the firing angle of a single-phase electric motor supplied with an alternating current, by way of at least one locking electronic switch between the mains supply and at least one motor winding, which with regard to control technology may be carried out with simple means and results in a reliable and quick start, as well as a smooth running at a constant, freely selectable rotational speed at a high efficiency. Furthermore, the method where possible is to be able to be realised without mechanical sensors on the motor.

[0020] On taking into account one or preferably more of the previously mentioned conditions, the motor is started in a rapid manner and is operated at any rotational speed with a good efficiency, and may be activated at any rotational speed by way of a [closed-loop] control circuit. Furthermore, the firing method according to the invention ensures a particularly smooth running of the motor which is particularly advantageous with the application in the field of heating circulation pumps, whose noise emissions are transmitted further through the pipe network in an almost undamped manner.

[0025] Advantageously, according to the method according to the invention, not only are the zero-crossings of the induced voltages (EMF) in the windings, but also the zero-crossings of the supply voltage are determined and evaluated with regard to the point in time of firing. This embodiment which determines and evaluates the zero-crossings of the supply voltage and of the EMF, and the voltage across the switch in order to realise the firing rules, is based purely on time measurements and angular considerations without having to detect quantitative electrical variables. This construction is therefore particularly simple and robust.

[0031] A corresponding single-phase electric motor supplied with alternating current with a permanent magnet motor comprises at least one winding which is arranged in the stator and which is subjected to the supply voltage by way of a locking electronic switch, in particular a triac. With such an arrangement, preferably at least one further locking electronic switch is provided to which a phase-shifting component may be connected. A triac is preferably likewise used as an electronic switch, wherein the phase-shifting component is preferably a capacitor. By way of this one may achieve a particularly smooth running of the motor if the capacitor is connected after the starting.

Problems solved by technology

However, even with the application of highly integrated electronic circuits, converter electronics create costs which often lie in the magnitude of that of the motor.

Such triacs which are allocated as switches to the individual motor windings have the advantage that they may be manufactured in an inexpensive manner, but have the disadvantage that with the usual activation it is the case of locking switches, i.e. which after switching on only block again when the current flowing through the switch becomes zero or changes its direction.

However, phase-angle control as such is not sufficient in order to achieve a reliable start, a smooth running and a high efficiency on operation, and finally in order to avoid the magnets of the rotor becoming damaged due to an unallowably high magnetic field of the stator.

The disadvantage with this method is the fact that at least one magnetic field sensor is required for detecting the rotor position.

Furthermore, the current limitation is achieved by way of measuring and integrating the currents and voltages and adapting them according to the rotor or the positions of the magnets.

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